Facebook iOS App Now Listens for Identifiable Music or TV Content During Status Updates

Add Facebook to the list of apps that is listening in on what’s going on around you, as they have launched a new “Shazam”-like feature for their iPhone iOS app that uses the device’s microphone to listen for and identify television and music content that may be playing when you post a status update.

The new feature will make it easier for users to say that they are watching a particular show or listening to a certain song, then share that information with their friends. Upon updating the Facebook app, users are presented with an explanation as to how the feature works, and are given the option to turn it on.

The new listening option allows users to begin to create an update, and then tap the “mood” icon. The app will then listen to see if it can identify the song or television program playing in the background. You can then select the song or TV show to share it in your update.

The option can be turned off by tapping the audio icon in the upper right hand corner of the screen. If left on, the audio icon will move, and the app will attempt to detect a match when a user writes another update.

Facebook assures users none of the data is saved, and users will always be given the option whether to share the content info once it is identified.

Friends can also have the option to hear a 30-second preview of the song once it has been posted to Facebook, and TV episode information will detail the season and episode of the content being viewed.